The film buff in me felt the need to scout the horror films that actually came out in 1979 on the internet movie database, have to say I don't really think it was a vintage year myself!
Notable films, or rather, films that I have seen, include Alien - although thats as much sci fi as it is horror, Phantasm - influencial in its day but has not dated well, The Amityville Horror, which was something of a victory of hype over quality, The Driller Killer - a cult classic, but in reality a pretty bad excuse for tons of fake blood and gore!
Other 'interesting' films from that year included;
Zombi 2 - aka 'Island of Flesh Eaters!'
When a Stranger Calls
Nocturna - aka 'Grand-Daughter of Dracula!'
Cat and the Canary
Thirst
Killer Fish - aka 'Deadly Treasure of the Piranha!'
And winning the best title award;
Weasals Rip my Flesh!
Lowest rated film in the list was 'The Capture of Bigfoot' which averaged a vote of 1.4 out of a possible 10, as voted for by over 200 people, making it officially most of the worst films in living history, according to The Internet Movie Database! This has sparked my curiousity - I get the feeling this film may be so awful it will be worth watching for a bit of a giggle. Anyone seen it???
With regards to the tune contest, just saying 1979 horror film is a little vague. Horror soundtracks have always shared a few key themes over the years, spooky orchestral pieces, for example, will never go out of fashion, so can't really be pinned down to an exact year or even a group of years.
I'm guessing you picked '79 as the synthesizer was starting to work its way into horror films a lot more, although in my opinion, the early 80's slasher pics are the ones I most distictly associate with the cheezy synth sounds I think you're talking about. Although I could be mistaken.
However, I'm afraid its a little academic for me, I doubt I'm going to get time to enter this one, which is a pity.
I've got some really awful 80's virtual synths for my sequencer! Nevermind, maybe next time.
